Miccarelli violated state House rules but will face no punishment in the wake of sexual assault allegations against him, possible job opportunities led Dent to leave early, and the IFO assessed Governor Wolf’s budget proposal.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Miccarelli Violated State House Sexual Harassment Policy, Faces No Punishment: State Rep. Nick Miccarelli violated the state House’s policy against retaliation after he was accused of sexaul harassment by two women according to a recent report.

Job Opportunities Led to Dent’s Early Exit: Report: The chance for new job opportunities is was pushed retiring Congressman Charlie Dent to resign from Congress in the coming weeks according to a new report.

State House Sound Bites: Independent Fiscal Office assesses Wolf’s budget proposal: The commonwealth’s Independent Fiscal Office has released its yearly assessment of Governor Tom Wolf’s budget proposal. It reports that most of the revenue estimates check out. That is, if Wolf can figure out how to get his ideas past the GOP-controlled General Assembly.

Legislative Election Update
PA-4: Emily’s List announced its endorsement of state Rep. Madeleine Dean for the 4th Congressional district. “Madeleine Dean is an experienced leader who will fight for the women and families of Montgomery County in Congress. Since her election to the state House six years ago, Madeleine has been a champion for progressive policies including access to health care, funding for public education, combating gun violence and more,” Emily’s List President Stephanie Schriock said.  Emily’s List is also launching a direct mail campaign to help introduce Dean to voters in the district.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: After state House’s marathon gun hearing, fundamental differences remain
StateImpact: Sunoco says testing is done and Mariner East 1 is safe; state officials say slow down
City & State: Philadelphia tries again on campaign finance reforms

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Marijuana growers seek to extinguish Pa.’s cannabis research program
Inquirer: Philly Police Commissioner Richard Ross issues public apology to 2 men arrested at Starbucks
Inquirer: Gun safety after Parkland: Here’s every idea the Pa. House has. Will any become reality?
Inquirer: Philly ‘con man’ gets $25K cash infusion from Johnny Doc’s union | Clout
Inquirer: Philly City Council wants an audit of new property assessments
Inquirer: Feds will retry former Philly Sheriff John Green
Philly Tribune: Pa. House approves bill requiring some Medicaid recipients to work
Philly Mag: A Pair of Philadelphians Made Time’s 100 Most Influential People List
Philly Mag: Ross on Starbucks Arrests: I Played a Role in Making Things Worse
WHYY: Philly police chief says he ‘failed miserably’ in handling of Starbucks arrests
Philly Voice: Philly police commish apologizes to men arrested at Starbucks

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Forum for 4th Congressional District candidates set for April 29 in Pottstown
Bucks County Courier Times: Memorial service set for John Fullam, longtime judge
Bucks County Courier Times: Report: Bucks ‘failing’ for air pollution, Burlington quality unknown
Delco Times: 5th District contenders show lighter side at forum

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Rep. Lou Barletta reaffirms support for Trump as other Republicans reportedly waver
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County collects more than $100k in owed court fees through tax returns
Tribune Review: Vulakovich skips debate with challenger for Pa. Senate seat
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh still falling short on accessibility for people with disabilities, advocates say
Post-Gazette: Gateway formally accepts resignation of board member O’Donnell
Post-Gazette: Overdose deaths are up overall in southwestern Pa., but some counties are seeing signs for optimism
WESA: State ‘Sextortion’ Bill Would Criminalize Sexual Coercion

Southwest
Tribune-Democrat: Pennsylvania House passes ‘formulary’ bill
Beaver County Times: State education official visits Beaver County
Beaver County Times: Beaver County area schools to participate in National School Walkout
Beaver County Times: Beaver County officials meet with casino representatives
Altoona Mirror: Tea Party to host candidate forum

NEPA
Citizens Voice: County election director calls for reform in light of state mandate
Times Leader: Election directors statewide call for reform in light of machine mandate
Times-Tribune: Mid Valley teachers to pay part of health care premiums

South Central
Patriot News: Meeting on school safety focuses on need to be aware of troubled students
Patriot News: Protesters in Philadelphia urge mayor to ‘do what Starbucks did’ after arrest of two black men
Patriot News: GOP Guv candidate Laura Ellsworth dings rivals for ditching debate
LNP: Lancaster plans record tree planting for Arbor Day
LNP: ‘A sense of urgency’: ATF agents flood Lancaster County, offer $20K reward for explosives stolen from pipeline site

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Education Secretary Pedro Rivera visits Allentown for STEM education
Morning Call: Northampton County Gaming Authority folds
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley congressional debate
Reading Eagle: Berks Patriots group hears lots of agreement between 9th District candidates at forum

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: National School Walkout is Friday. Here’s how local students are participating
Erie Times-News: Arrington makes first court appearance in fraud case
Erie Times-News: Centers receive grants to address housing issues

Opinion
York Dispatch: EDITORIAL: Continue momentum on animal protections
Daily Local: Editorial: Rafferty bill is another needed step against drunk driving
Observer-Reporter: EDITORIAL Tierne Ewing’s death could save others’ lives
Inquirer: Congress grilled Facebook, but now it needs to act | Editorial
Inquirer: Time has come for Pa. to modernize its voting machines | Opinion
Post-Gazette: Something in the air: Don’t let regional progress be stalled by pollution
Patriot News: Wait? I ‘hate’ conservatives? No, we just disagree. | John L. Micek
LNP: Turnpike E-ZPass scofflaws take a toll on the rest of us, so we welcome the crackdown on them